Madrid will face 2026 with the largest budget in its history: 30,663.6 million euros, 6.98% more, which translates into an additional 2,000 million. These are accounts in which nine out of every ten euros are allocated to social spending and in which all the ministries register increases, as detailed yesterday by the Minister of Economy, Finance and Employment, Rocío Albert.
The accounts, which the Madrid Assembly will receive today after its approval in the Government Council, contemplate notable increases in Health (+550 million), Education (+259) and Family, Youth and Social Affairs (+210).
Albert criticized the fact that the central government has not yet presented its Budgets, despite it being “its obligation”, and blamed it for the “undefined framework” in which it maintains the autonomies by not convening the Fiscal and Financial Policy Council. According to him, the regional accounts have been prepared “without knowing the stability objective or the national spending rule,” or whether there will be a salary increase for public employees or unique financing for Catalonia. “We are making a tremendous effort to balance the accounts with these conditions while the central government continues to establish new benefits for us to manage the autonomies and, in addition, it owes us more than 10.5 billion,” lamented the counselor.
Health, the priority
Madrid Health will once again be the main spending destination in 2026, with a record allocation of 11,009.5 million euros, 36% of the total budget and an increase of 5.3% compared to the previous year. The commitment to the public system results in an investment that exceeds an additional 575 million between Primary and Hospital Care. The first will grow by 10.4%, to 2,896 million, with the forecast of building 24 new health centers and improving the working conditions of the staff. Hospital Care, with 7,228 million (+3.8%), will allocate more than 215 million to build new infrastructures such as the City of Health, the new Gregorio Marañón University Hospital, the Sierra Norte Care Hospital and the comprehensive reform of the Móstoles Hospital.
The budget includes 34.6 million for salary improvements (guards, nights and holidays), and foresees the construction of the world’s first residence for ALS patients, in the old Puerta de Hierro Hospital, with 16.5 million.
Education and University
Madrid Education will have 6,959 million euros, 3.9% more than in 2025, which represents 22% of the total. The next academic year will start with 2,725 more teachers in public centers, which will reduce the ratios of students per classroom: in Infant and 1st grade of Primary, from 25 to 20; and in the first three years of Secondary School, from 30 to 25. Investments in educational infrastructure reach 115 million, and school transportation will have 27 million, five more than in 2025.
The six public universities in Madrid will receive 1,239.7 million euros, 6.5% more and a historical record. In addition, a new financing model will be applied. Scholarships and study aid also reach record figures: 256.6 million allocated to dining, children’s and vocational training.
Housing and Transportation
The budgets foresee a record investment of 3,292.9 million euros for Housing, Transport and Infrastructure, with the focus on expanding the supply of affordable housing and modernizing the public transport network.
The housing area will have 714 million (+2.4%) to promote the Vive Plan, which will deliver 700 new homes and will complete 3,200 more in thirteen municipalities.
In transportation, 282 million are allocated to the expansion of Metro lines 11 and 5, in addition to starting studies on the Southwest Highway, which will connect the M-503 with the M-407.
Family and Social Affairs
The Ministry of Family, Youth and Social Affairs will receive 2,904.1 million euros, 7.8% more than in 2025. More than 2,000 million are allocated to the care of the elderly, people with disabilities and dependents (+10%).
Dependency spending will be 829 million (+16%) and home help, telecare and financial benefits services will be reinforced. In addition, 790.9 million are allocated to the network of residences and day centers, where 80 coexistence units and homes adapted for married couples of dependent elderly people will be created. Disability care grows by 8.1%, up to 460.9 million, and 500 new early care places are added. In equality, aid to centers aimed at women increases by 18% and a rural resource for comprehensive care will be created.
Presidency and Justice
The Ministry of the Presidency, Justice and Local Administration will have 1,226.7 million (+7.4%). Its priority will be the modernization of the judicial system and the reinforcement of municipal services. The most notable project will be the City of Justice, with 108 million in 2026 within a total investment of 653 million, which will allow the 378 judicial bodies currently dispersed to be concentrated and save 80 million annually.
The Regional Investment Program (PIR) will have 221.7 million (+19.4%) for municipal works and infrastructure. In addition, ATMs will be installed in all municipalities without banking service.
Environment
The Ministry of Environment, Agriculture and Interior will have 778.8 million euros, 8.7% more. The increase focuses on fire prevention, forest management and public safety.
80 million will be allocated to the protection of forests – 52 million for the INFOMA Plan and 28 for the Madrid Forest Plan -, with a 22% increase in prevention and extinction.
The Madrid 112 Security and Emergency Agency (ASEM112) will have 409.4 million (+13.9%) to incorporate 267 firefighters and 91 forestry agents, in addition to renewing its fleet with 18 million in new vehicles.
Culture and Tourism
Culture, Tourism and Sports will receive just over 400 million, intended to reinforce investment in heritage, artistic creation and international promotion. The maintenance of facilities such as the Teatros del Canal, the Teatro Real and the Community Orchestra and Choir is prioritized, and aid is expanded to the audiovisual industry and young creators. Tourism consolidates external outreach campaigns, and sports will have funds for high-performance centers and international events.
Economy and Industry
The Ministry of Economy, Finance and Employment will have 331.7 million (+7.9%), plus 696 million for active employment policies (+3.5%). Investment in industry grows 115%, up to 38.8 million, aimed at sectors such as biopharma, aerospace and logistics. These aid are integrated into the Industrial Plan 2026-2030, which includes the creation of Industrial Districts and the Defense and Security Innovation Node. The budget reserves 15 million for the Drone Strategy, which will develop a network of heliports and simplify flight procedures.
In tax matters, two new deductions will be applied: up to 400 euros for university or vocational training tuition for young people who study and work, and a 95% bonus on Asset Transfers and Documented Legal Acts for traditional commerce and hospitality. Aid to the self-employed increases by 17.7%.
Digitization
200 million will be allocated to the digital transformation of the Administration and the promotion of innovation. The plan includes the automation of procedures, the reinforcement of cybersecurity and the expansion of the network of digital offices to offer more agile and accessible attention to citizens.
Opposition criticism
The opposition parties have already been especially critical of the Budget project even before its parliamentary debate. The spokesperson for Más Madrid, Manuela Bergerot, described them as “bad news for Madrid residents and good news for millionaires.” In his opinion, the accounts “consolidate the PP’s inequality model”, with “waiting lists that grow and businesses that multiply around private healthcare.” He considers that the losers of these accounts are “families, health centers and those looking for decent housing”, while “the winners” would be the “millionaires and vulture funds that continue to devour residences, universities and healthcare.”
Vox also expressed its rejection. Its spokesperson, Isabel Pérez Moñino, assured that the accounts “do not resolve the collapse of public services” and “maintain superfluous spending.” He also criticized the fact that the “principle of national priority” is not applied in aid and described the Budgets as “blind to the housing crisis.”
However, with the absolute majority of the PP, the accounts will pass in the Assembly.